The floor of the House of Representatives erupted in thunderous applause Monday night when U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords showed up to cast her vote in favor of the proposed debt ceiling legislation. The measure passed 269-161.
Giffords, D-Arizona was escorted by her chief of staff and by her close friend, Florida Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Members gave her a standing ovation and swarmed to greet her.
She said: “I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy.”
Giffords’ office revealed the closely guarded secret at noon on Monday, notifying Pelosi’s office that she would be coming for the all important vote.
Wiping away tears, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California said: “Her presence today, to make sure that we honor the obligations of our great country, is important and symbolic. Her presence here in the chamber as well as her service throughout her entire tenure in Congress, brings honor to this chamber.”
She continued: “We are privileged to call her a colleague. Some of us are very privileged to call her a friend.”
Giffords, a three-term congresswoman, voted against two previous increases in the debt ceiling. In a released statement, her office indicated that Monday night’s vote was “substantially different, with the strength of the U.S. economy hanging in the balance.”
Seven months ago, on January 8, 2011, Giffords was shot through the head while meeting constituents in Tucson. Six people were killed, and 12 others were wounded. The shooter, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, has been judged incompetent to stand trial and is being held in a federal mental hospital.
View video of Giffords’ visit on the House floor last night: